Confusion over closure of Windsor WSIB office, remote services offered

A group of injured workers and their supporters gathered in Windsor Monday afternoon — pushing for more supports for those hurt and made sick on the job.

"Go ask these guys if they knew WSIB closed down. Nobody even emailed to say ‘Liz, WSIB closed down.’ So, any injured workers going to take a bus all the way here thinking they're open," said southwestern Ontario Vice President of the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Group, Liz Garant.

Demonstrators were surprised to learn the Windsor office they went to rally outside, has permanently closed — the next closest office is in London. However, WSIB issued a statement to CTV News on Monday, explaining that they have teams working from home.

“The WSIB is always here to help and we have an excellent team in Windsor who continue to work with people in the community every day to help them recover and return to work. Since the pandemic, our teams have primarily worked from home and in the community at various worksites. When our lease at our physical location expired earlier this fall, we did not renew it as we evaluate what physical space we need. A notice was placed on the doorway which lets people know how to reach us.Anyone who needs us can access our services 24/7 online, or by phone from 7:30am to 6:00pm and can meet with us either online or in person in the community,” said the statement.

Similar rallies were scheduled in Toronto and Thunder Bay.

Organizers said cuts to injured worker benefits are resulting in denials of claims and injuries being ignored.